David Eade – Costa del Sol News
The residents of Montejaque and Benaoján have been able to use their water supply again since last Wednesday. The regional government had halted the use of water for drinking from the Molino del Santo well because of contamination.
Since then Montejaque has been looking for an alternative supply of potable water that would not leave it dependent on its neighbouring municipality. Now Málaga province has come up with the answer through its delegate for the environment and sustainability, Juan Jesús Bernal.
Bernal has proposed a new water deposit for Montejaque. This will increase its reserve capacity and store around one million litres. The deposit will have a capacity of 500 cubic metres and will supply the municipality alone.
The funding required for the water deposit will be 250,000 euros plus 3,000 euros more to improve the filter system. The water will come from a source in Benaoján that is currently not utilised and a pipeline four kilometres long will have to be laid to bring the supply to Montejaque.
Málaga province will provide the funding for the new deposit. It will mean the 2,600 residents now have an independent water supply. It will also be important for Montejaque’s large meat industry and the developing rural tourism.
GROWING UP
According to figures from the National Institute of Statistics the population of Ronda has increased by 1073 people between 2006 and 2010. Hence the population has risen from 35,836 to 36,909. However the councillor in charge of statistics, María del Carmen Martínez, says because so many people have not registered on the padrón the true figure is nearer 50,000 drawn from nearby villages.
HOUSE BREAKERS
The Guardia Civil in Cortes de la Frontera have arrested two people aged 29 and 32 years of age accused of forced entry in to properties. In addition officers arrested a 21-year old who is alleged to have received stolen goods. The arrests were made after officers stopped the 29-year old, a known criminal, who had a large bag with stolen items in.
LESS OLIVES
The harvest of olives in the Serranía de Ronda has dropped dramatically this year. Overall the crop is down by 15 per cent but the co-operative stresses the actual size of the decrease varies between areas. It’s estimated that 6.5 million kilos of olives will be gathered, over half a million kilos less than last year. The picking has been delayed by rains.
